The Vietnam Film Festival is returning to Ho Chi Minh City for the first time in 26 years with a series of activities and participation from seven other countries. For the first time ever, several big movie industries from around the world will also take part.
The 16th film festival from December 8 to 12 will not only show films as in the past, but will also feature activities including a seminar and forum on movies.
A poster of the film Dung Dot (Don't Burn) which will compete at the 16th film festival.
The Saigon Movies-Media Co., Phuoc Sang Corp., and the Saigon Media Co. will organise a concert titled “An impression of music and movies", a movie fair, and a cinematic display show on the road in front of the city’s Hoa Binh Theatre.
Twenty-nine Vietnamese filmmakers have submitted entries to the 16th Viet Nam Film Festival hoping to snatch the golden prizes this year.
The festival will be held in HCM City for the third time in 26 years, with the first one held in the city in 1977 and the second in 1983. There are a total of 99 films in all categories including feature films, documentaries and cartoons made during 2007 and 2009.
Besides 1,000 Vietnamese film industry delegates, at least eight countries including China, South Korea, US, Finland, Japan, Russia, Laos and Cambodia will be represented with several non-competitive entries being screened during the five-day festival.
The first ever Vietnam Film Festival was organized in 1970 and held every two to three years thereafter. The most honourable prize given out at the festival is the Golden Lotus award, which differs from the prestigious annual Golden Kite awards established in 2005.
